OpenTV accuses Netflix of patent infringement

A pioneer in the interactive television industry, OpenTV, is tired of Netflix focusing its energies on brokering deals to get Disney movies on its site, and not negotiating with OpenTV for patent licenses. So OpenTV’s owner, Swiss company Kudelski SA, decided to grab Netflix’s attention with a lawsuit.

Kudelski claims that Netflix is infringing on seven of its U.S. patents covering over-the-top TV technology including video playback and that Netflix staple: recommendations based on viewing activity. The lawsuit alleges that Kudelski tried to talk to Netflix about licensing the patents for a year, but Netflix did not take it up on the offer.

"Companies like Netflix have, in essence, stood on the shoulders of giants, largely focusing their R&D efforts on aggregating these previously patented technologies and using them to provide a rich customer experience," the lawsuit reads.